Jess is no stranger to the stage and enjoys wearing all of the theater hats (whether being a performer on it or helping to build a set). For the past 3 years, she has had the honor of acting as the Director of BHS Tiger Drama. Additionally, she has been a “right-hand-do-whatever-is-needed” part of the Caldarona Studios for several years. Thanks to her dance background, Jessica has choreographed several shows with the Farmington Hills Youth Theater, Acting Out Productions, Barefoot Theatre, and at Belleville High School. Currently, Jess is a part of the student support services for the Maggie Allesee Department of Theatre and Dance at Wayne State University in Detroit, MI.

Justin Bugeja is a BFA Acting graduate from Wayne State University. This year’s Arts For Autism is his Broadway debut as a company swing. Other notable acting credits include Emcee in Cabaret, Jack in Into The Woods, and Chip in the 25th Annual Putnam Spelling Bee. Beyond acting, Justin has directed and music directed both plays (Boeing Boeing, Clue) and musicals (The Lightning Thief); as well as runs his own acting and vocal studio, and is the current marketing executive for Thistle Rose Academy of Arts. He is thankful for Bethany and Rachael for including him on this amazing opportunity and for giving him the chance to shine. He can be found on Instagram @justinbugejaactor and at justinbugeja.com.

Ryan Buyers is currently a student at the University of Michigan studying Drama and Music and provides private music instruction through his own studio. His most notable acting roles have been Lumière in a Disney Medley, performed at the New Amsterdam Theater for the Arts for Autism Broadway Benefit, Leaf Coneybear in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, and Raoul in The Phantom of the Opera. He also had the pleasure of playing Lucifer in the short film Asylum in the Garden, in which he composed the original soundtrack for the film, consisting of two new musical theatre pieces and scoring for the entirety of the short film. Ryan led the cast as vocal coach and conducted the orchestra in the recording of the instrumental soundtrack. Ryan is currently in the process of writing the musical VERTIGO: A Tale of Criminal Love, set to open in the summer of 2025.

Chloe Grisa is a local performer and director who works as a hairdresser during the day. She has worked as a part of Caldarona Studios both as a performer as well as on the directing staff, and has now been on the team for two Arts for Autism projects. She has been performing professionally in recent years and is currently working towards a degree in order to continue teaching children the incredible world of the theatre.

Hunter Martin was born and raised in Clinton Township, MI and now resides in Canton, MI. She has recently received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance with a minor in Theatre from Wayne State University. Hunter’s most recent works include her choreographic expertise in the Caldarona Studios’ Arts for Autism Benefit Concert showcased at the New Amsterdam Theatre in New York City (2024), her senior solo “IN LiMBO” (2023), and her senior capstone “Before I Wake”; which was selected to perform at the 2024 American College Dance Association Eastern Conference for adjudication. Hunter is currently training to receive her Pilates MAT and Reformer teaching certification this Summer. Hunter is passionate about furthering her theatre and dance career post graduation, and is excited to take on professional performance opportunities in the future. As a dancer, teacher, and choreographer, her aim is to inspire others and personally connect with everyone who witnesses her work

Mitchie is an Art Teacher and is the Costumer at Belleville High School. They have a Bachelor's of Arts from Wayne State University in Fibers and Design. Their recent costuming endeavors include Mamma Mia!, Clue, and the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. The 2024 Arts for Autism is their costume's debut to the Broadway stage. They are so excited and grateful to have been able to work with such talented performers and directors.

Rachael L. Rose is currently a Second Year MFA Acting Candidate with a focus in Voice Pedagogy. An experienced Voice Practitioner in the Metro-Detroit area, she has a very diverse background. Ms. Rose's career encompasses Adjunct Professor, Musical Director, and Conductor at Wayne State University, her own private studio for voice, piano, music theory, and organ students; professional Director and Music Director and she has now fully embraced the role of Grad Student. Among her outstanding achievements, Ms. Rose has just had an arrangement upon which she collaborated with Ryan Buyers, performed on the New Amsterdam Stage on Broadway, NYC. She is also the founder of Thistle Rose Academy of Arts, a community organization focused on Arts for All providing education, outreach, and performance opportunities through the Arts with no cost barrier to entry for the participants.